Israel, Hezbollah launch strikes as latest flare-up puts West Asia on edge: Top points
Hezbollah supporters
Israel launched pre-emptive strikes at Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday (August 24) after the Iran-backed militant group announced a large-scale operation against Israel. Hezbollah said that it launched "more than 320" Katyusha rockets towards Israel.
Israel said that the country's fighter jets attacked thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers in south Lebanon that were aimed at northern and central Israel.
"Approximately 100 IAF fighter jets ... struck and destroyed thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels that were located and embedded in southern Lebanon," an Israeli military statement read. "Most of these launchers were aimed toward northern Israel, and some were aimed toward central Israel."
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The current state of escalation comes after weeks of tension, with Hezbollah vowing to avenge the assassination of its military commander, Fuad Shukr, last month.
"In the context of the initial response" to the killing of Shukr, Hezbollah said it "began an air attack with a large number of drones" targeting deep into Israel. Hezbollah also targeted "a number of enemy positions and barracks and Iron Dome platforms... with a large number of rockets,"adding that "military operations will take some time to complete."
According to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has declared a state of emergency across the country for the next 48 hours.
This "special situation on the home front," as it is officially termed, grants the IDF Home Front Command expanded authority to impose restrictions on the civilian population.
"The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) identified the Hezbollah terrorist organization as preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory. In response to these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon," the Israeli military said in a statement. "Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets are currently striking targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization that pose an imminent threat to the citizens of the State of Israel."
As a precautionary measure, Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport announced delays and diversions of flights early Sunday.
The United States responds
The United States said it would "keep supporting Israel's right to defend itself'.
According to US National Security Council Spokesperson Sean Savett, "At President Joe Biden's direction, senior US officials have been communicating continuously with their Israeli counterparts. We will keep supporting Israel's right to defend itself, and we will keep working for regional stability."
The current escalation follows increasing hostilities that began after Hamas'unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7 last year, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians. Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
(With inputs from agencies)
Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments in the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos, and videos.